Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)).

Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)).

A knitted component may include a first portion, where the first portion at least partially forms an underfoot area of an article of footwear. A second portion may be included, where the second portion at least partially forms an outer surface of a medial or a lateral side of an article of footwear. A forward portion may extend from an end of the first portion and may include a toebox area in a toe region of the knitted component. A knitted connection structure may be located between the toebox area of the forward portion and the second portion, where the second portion includes a first course, where the toebox area of the second portion includes a second course, and where the first course is secured to the second course through the knitted connection structure.

A knitted component may include a first portion, where the first portion at least partially forms an underfoot area of an article of footwear. A second portion may be included, where the second portion at least partially forms an outer surface of a medial or a lateral side of an article of footwear. A forward portion may extend from an end of the first portion and may include a toebox area in a toe region of the knitted component. A knitted connection structure may be located between the toebox area of the forward portion and the second portion, where the second portion includes a first course, where the toebox area of the second portion includes a second course, and where the first course is secured to the second course through the knitted connection structure.

Provided is a footwear knitting method for knitting footwear that partially has a two-layer structure. The footwear knitting method is a method for knitting footwear (1) provided with a base knitted fabric portion (2) that has a foot insertion opening (5), and is shape of an item of footwear, using a flat knitting machine. The footwear knitting method includes: starting knitting of the base knitted fabric portion (2) from a toe side or a heel side of the base knitted fabric portion (2) to complete the base knitted fabric portion (2) with a left side part and a right side part of the base knitted fabric portion (2) facing each other in a front-back direction of needle beds; knitting an additional knitted fabric portion (3) that is separate from the base knitted fabric portion (2), and is bag-shaped with one end open and the other end closed, before or during the knitting of the base knitted fabric portion (2); and joining, using double stitches, a part of an opening edge of the additional knitted fabric portion (3) with a toe-side edge part or a heel-side edge part of an edge of the foot insertion opening (5) of the base knitted fabric portion (2).

Provided is a footwear knitting method for knitting footwear that partially has a two-layer structure. The footwear knitting method is a method for knitting footwear (1) provided with a base knitted fabric portion (2) that has a foot insertion opening (5), and is shape of an item of footwear, using a flat knitting machine. The footwear knitting method includes: starting knitting of the base knitted fabric portion (2) from a toe side or a heel side of the base knitted fabric portion (2) to complete the base knitted fabric portion (2) with a left side part and a right side part of the base knitted fabric portion (2) facing each other in a front-back direction of needle beds; knitting an additional knitted fabric portion (3) that is separate from the base knitted fabric portion (2), and is bag-shaped with one end open and the other end closed, before or during the knitting of the base knitted fabric portion (2); and joining, using double stitches, a part of an opening edge of the additional knitted fabric portion (3) with a toe-side edge part or a heel-side edge part of an edge of the foot insertion opening (5) of the base knitted fabric portion (2).

A knitted component may include a knitted base portion located between a first non-planar structure and a second non-planar structure. The knitted base portion may include a first area located adjacent to the first non-planar structure, and the first area may include at least one course of a first base yarn. The knitted base portion may include a second area located adjacent to the second non-planar structure, and the second area may include at least one course of a second base yarn. The first base yarn may have a first color and the second base yarn may have a second color different from the first color.

A knitted component may include a knitted base portion located between a first non-planar structure and a second non-planar structure. The knitted base portion may include a first area located adjacent to the first non-planar structure, and the first area may include at least one course of a first base yarn. The knitted base portion may include a second area located adjacent to the second non-planar structure, and the second area may include at least one course of a second base yarn. The first base yarn may have a first color and the second base yarn may have a second color different from the first color.

The invention concerns a method of producing an article of footwear comprising: providing an upper; providing a mold and opening the mold; inserting the upper into the open mold; closing the mold; and injecting a pressurized molten resin, wherein, after the injecting, there is a gap filled with the resin between a side wall of the mold and an outer surface of at least a first portion of the upper, wherein the gap is essentially zero at a contacting point, wherein the gap increases gradually from the contacting point in at least a first region of the mold.

The invention concerns a method of producing an article of footwear comprising: providing an upper; providing a mold and opening the mold; inserting the upper into the open mold; closing the mold; and injecting a pressurized molten resin, wherein, after the injecting, there is a gap filled with the resin between a side wall of the mold and an outer surface of at least a first portion of the upper, wherein the gap is essentially zero at a contacting point, wherein the gap increases gradually from the contacting point in at least a first region of the mold.